Acute Inpatient Treatment

A Unique Place to Receive Care

The Children's Unit at Adventist Behavioral Health Rockville is a family-centered treatment environment that focuses on the behavioral health needs of children ages 8 to 13-years-old. The staff in this 12-bed unit provides compassionate care, effective interventions and individualized treatment plans that meet the unique needs of our patients and their families.

The Children's Unit provides crisis stabilization for children whose acute symptoms require around the clock supervision in a safe and structured therapeutic setting. The unit is staffed by an interdisciplinary team including child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and psychotherapists. Each of these professionals collaborates with children and families to provide exceptional treatment for children in need.

The treatment team works in collaboration with outpatient mental health providers to ensure continuity of care during the transition from The Children's Unit to the child's home in the community. The average length of stay is between seven and ten days. The structured therapeutic program is designed to foster the child's ability to successfully return to home and school.

Program Services Offered

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
• Medication assessment
• Family therapy and parent education
• A holistic, structured daily schedule that includes group therapy, an array of expressive therapies (dance, creative writing, music, Tai Chi and recreation), and activities designed to raise the child's awareness of the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors
• School sessions on weekdays
• A child-driven level system focused on increasing self-awareness and responsibility
• Psychoeducation groups on medication, substance abuse prevention and social skills
• Gym and outdoor courtyard time several times daily
• Semi-private rooms
• Individually-tailored discharge planning to provide support and resources for the transition home